As it is already widely known and spoken about, the UK’s immigration system is going digital by 2025.

This essentially means that the government is replacing physical immigration documents with a digital proof of immigration status called an eVisa. The initiative will increase the security and efficiency of the immigration system and enable eVisa holders to prove their rights instantly, accurately and securely.

Below, we answer ten most frequently asked and talked-about questions on the eVisa rollout process.

1. What is an eVisa? 

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You will need to create a UKVI account to be able to access your eVisa and prove your status to others, such as an employer or landlord.

Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.

2. Who needs to take some action?

Anyone who currently uses a physical document to evidence their immigration status will need to take action to convert their permission to an eVisa.

• If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) that expires on 31 December 2024, you can now create a UKVI account and access your eVisa. You should do this before the expiry date of your BRP.
• If you have a Biometric Residence Card (BRC) and you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then you already have an eVisa and you do not need to take any action to obtain one.
• If you have a Biometric Residence Card (BRC) and you have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, obtained another form of immigration leave, or become a British citizen, then your BRC is no longer valid, even if it appears to still be in date. To continue living in the UK you should get an immigration status as soon as possible.
• If you have indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain (also known as settlement or settled status) and you currently prove your rights through a different type of physical document, such as a wet-ink stamp in your passport or a vignette sticker, then you should make a “no time limit (NTL) application to replace your document with a BRP. Once you have a BRP, you will be able to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa. Bear in mind though that after 31 October 2024 the Home Office will no longer issue plastic cards and it will no longer be possible to replace them. For details on this, please have a read of our previous article available here: https://www.cartercamerons.com/brp-cards-to-be-phased-out-after-31-october-2024-key-information-on-the-evisa-transition-2/.

For those who already have and use a UKVI account, no further action is required.

British passport holders and Irish citizens also do not need to do anything.

3. How will a visa holder be able to use UKVI account?

Once you have created your UKVI account, you will be able to view the details of your eVisa online, for example the type of permission you hold, when your permission expires and your conditions of stay in the UK.

You can update your personal information in your UKVI account, such as your contact details. Your eVisa will be linked to your passport in your UKVI account.

4. How will an eVisa holder be able to prove status to others?

You can share your immigration status information with third parties, such as employers or landlords, by generating a “share code” in the Home Office view and prove service. This will give the third party time-limited access to your immigration status information. You can get a new “share code” whenever you need one and you do not have to remember a single unique code to be able to prove your status.

5. How can eVisas impact overseas travel?

If you wish to travel overseas from 1 January 2025, you must obtain an eVisa as soon as possible. With an eVisa, overseas travel will be much easier.

UK Border Force and international air, sea and rail carriers will be able to automatically access your immigration information that is held on your UKVI account, to verify your permission.

You should make sure your personal information and your passport details in your UKVI account are up to date well in advance before you travel. You may be delayed or denied boarding by carriers if your information is not correct or not complete. You will still need to carry your current passport with you.

6. Will eVisa be updated automatically if the holder’s immigration status changes?

Yes, when visa holders use the Home Office view and prove service, they should be able to see their current status. If your status is showing incorrectly and it is not automatically updated with the correct information, we recommend contacting the UKVI contact centre to resolve the issue.

7. What will happen with new applications between now and 31 December 2024?

If you need to make a new application for permission to stay in the UK, you should follow the usual application process.

We would like to remind that after 31 October 2024 the Home Office will no longer issue plastic cards and it will no longer be possible to replace them, so that applications decided after this date will only lead to getting an eVisa for successful applicants.

8. How will children be affected by the move to eVisas?

Children will require their own UKVI account, and families cannot set up one account for the whole family. Where a child under the age of 18 is unable to create and manage their own account, a parent, guardian or responsible adult should do this for them.

To create a UKVI account for a child, the parent, guardian or responsible adult will need the child’s identity document and date of birth. The adult can use their own contact details, such as their phone number and email address.

When the child is able to manage their UKVI account themselves, or where they reach 18 years of age, the child’s account can be transferred to them.

9. Should a visa holder keep hold of physical documents?

Yes, we recommend keeping hold of your physical immigration document even after it expires, as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK. You may also want it for your personal records.

10. How will employers and landlords be able to check rights to work and rent for eVisa holders?

Employees and property tenants who have been issued with a digital immigration status (eVisa) can evidence their rights to work and rent using the Home Office view and prove online service. Employers and landlords will need to ask eVisa holders to present them with a respective share code (which eVisa holders would get either for right to work or right to rent purposes), which can then be used to check the individual’s right to work and rent using the Home Office designated system.

For further advice and assistance with the above-outlined eVisa questions, or any other immigration matters, please contact our immigration team. We are here to help.